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Pens – Leafs Post Game: Staal, second line dominant in 3-2 win

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Pittsburgh 3 – Toronto 2

Post-Game: — Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins top line took a backseat to Jordan Staal and the Penguins second line in Pittsburgh’s 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night at the Consol Energy Center.

The Penguins extending their winning streak to seven games, got a huge game from their second line of Steve Sullivan (1 assist), Jordan Staal (1 goal, 1 assist) and Pascal Dupuis (2 goals, 1 assist), who combined for six points in the win.

Dupuis (16, 17) scored twice and Jordan Staal (22) added his 22nd goal of the season at 1:34 of the third period, deflecting a Brooks Orpik shot past Jonas Gustavsson, showing great hands in front.

The story of the night was clearly Staal who dominated in all facets of the game. Staal had a goal and an assist, and the way he impacted the game in all three zones of the ice was something to watch. He was a force and also dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 13 of 18 draws (72.2%).

With the win, Pittsburgh improved to 40-21-5, (85 pts) and continue to put heat on the New York Rangers, moving six points behind the conference leading Rangers.

The Maple Leafs have now dropped 12 of their last 14 games.

TIDBITS

— Coming into tonight’s game, all of the talk was about the Leafs defensive woes and they struggled mightily with their transition defense and Jonas Gustavsson didn’t do them any favors. They have issues.

— Brad Thiessen earned his second career win, making 22 saves on 24 shots in the win. The Penguins did a good job defensively and Thiessen wasn’t tested much, but the 25 year old goaltender made key saves in key situations down the stretch as the Penguins preserved a 3-2 third period lead.

— Evgeni Malkin was pointless and held to 3 shots on goal. It was just the third time in the last 18 games Malkin was held pointless.

BY THE NUMBERS

19-4-1: Penguins record in their last 24 games

22-8-2: Penguins record at home this season

11-1: Penguins home record in their last 12 games

67: Pascal Dupuis collected his first multi-goal game in 67 games, dating back to last season

6: Jordan Staal extended his assist streak to 6 games, a career high

15: Jordan Staal has 15 points in 12 games since returning from injury

0-13: The Penguins are 0-for-13 on the power play in their last four games, after an 0-for-4 night on the power play against the Leafs

51: The Penguins were 4-for-4 on the PK vs Leafs and have killed off 51 of 53 penalties since Feb. 1st.